George Lucas: Strange Magic shows talent in Singapore

SINGAPORE — A long time ago — 15 years to be precise, George Lucas decided he wanted to make a movie that would appeal mostly to young girls. The result is Strange Magic, an animated musical inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream from the Disney-Lucasfilm partnership, written by Lucas who is also the film’s executive producer.

“I did this movie primarily for my daughters ... I did Star Wars for adolescents boys, so I thought why not do one for the adolescent girl; a fairy tale for girls,” the father of three girls and a boy said at a press conference in Singapore to promote the movie. The legendary film-maker also had nothing but praise for the Singapore team of animators who worked on the film. "Strange Magic was assembled right here in Singapore. And I think the movie is brilliant. It shows the great talent you guys have here." 

But it’s not quite the fairy tale one might imagine. This one is a wacky musical involving a feisty princess who has sworn off love, an unlikely hero, a batty Sugar Plum Fairy, a lovable big-hearted elf and a whole trove of fairies, goblins and trolls all cavorting while singing pop and rock songs from the past 60 years. It also boast a musical-friendly voice cast that includes Evan Rachel Wood, Alan Cumming, Kristin Chenoweth, Maya Rudolph, Alfred Molina and Elijah Kelley.

“I was doing this as a fun project. I was really doing this on the side while I was I was doing Star Wars,” Lucas added. “And the music in this are my own personal favourites. These are my top 25 songs … The first song, Can’t Help Falling In Love, summed up the whole movie for me. It’s fun to be able to do this when you have songs that are able to say what you’ve been trying to say.” It also features a musical score from musician Marius de Vries, who has done work as a producer with the likes of Madonna, Bjork, Kylie Minogue and U2; and also scored films such as Moulin Rouge and Kick-Ass.

Directed by seven-time Oscar winner (for Sound)  Gary Rydstrom, Strange Magic is the first Lucasfilm since Red Tails in 2012, and also is the first since the company was bought by Disney. “It came out better than expected, Lucas said. “It is a great feeling for an executive producer. The last time I felt this way was Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark.” But the 70-year-old is not too worried about meeting any heightened expectations. “I’m not looking to make a hit movie. I’m just looking to do something I like,” he said. “To me, the real thing, the movie magic, is just doing it. That’s why I am going to do experimental films; if it doesn’t work I don’t have to worry about it.

“I have done movies that worked and movies that didn’t work. I have absolutely no idea how this film would be received. I really love it but that doesn’t mean the rest of the world would love it. But then, my worst reviewed movie is Star Wars. So you never know.”